Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-10-12

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] RUSSIAN FM IVANOV ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ATHENS

[02] ALBANIA BEATS GREECE 2-0 IN A WORLD CUP MATCH

[03] BULGARIAN OFFICIALS MET WITH THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MACEDONIA

[04] REPPAS ON THE DEPORTATIONS OF KURDS

[05] REPPAS: KOSTUNICA EXPRESSED INTEREST IN MEETING WITH SIMITIS

[06] PAPANDREOU-IVANOV MEETING

[07] BIG LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[08] PROPOSAL FOR GREEK-BULGARIAN-TURKISH COOPERATION IN CASE OF NATURAL

[09] INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DRUG RELATED DEATHS IN GREECE

[10] TRACK AND FIELD: GREECE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE YOUNG ATHLETES' WORLD

[11] PAPOUTSIS: THE BLACKMAIL OF THE COASTAL SHIPPING COMPANIES WILL NOT BE

[12] THE FLIGHTS OF GREEK FIGHTER JETS WERE SUSPENDED IN TURKEY

[13] RUSSIA WILL BACK THE TALKS ON CYPRUS

[01] RUSSIAN FM IVANOV ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ATHENS

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov is presently in Athens where he is to meet with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou to discuss the developments in Yugoslavia and the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Ivanov was forced to postpone his scheduled arrival to Athens yesterday, due to prior engagements in the Middle East.

The Russian FM will also meet with main opposition of New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis and the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis. It remains unclear if Mr. Ivanov will meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, since the latter is to depart this afternoon for the European Union's Summit conference in France.

The Russian Foreign Minister's scheduled visit to Thessaloniki and the all-male monastic community of Mount Athos has also been canceled.

Messrs. Ivanov and Papandreou will sign an agreement of cooperation in the combat of economic crime.

A.F.

[02] ALBANIA BEATS GREECE 2-0 IN A WORLD CUP MATCH

Albania beat Greece 20-0 in a World Cup European Group Nine qualifying match in Tirana last night.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, the Albanian national soccer team's coach Meidin Zega characterized the victory as a "historic"one, adding that "it was the best gift the team could have given to the Albanian people."

Albania scored with Alban Bushi in the 50th minute and with Ervin Fakaj in the 92nd minute.

The match was watched by a crowd of 20,000, among them the country's political leadership.

Greece now has two defeats and one win in the tournament.

It beat Finland 1-0 in its second match in Athens last Saturday, gaining its first three points, and lost 2-0 away to Germany in the first qualifying match.

A.F.

[03] BULGARIAN OFFICIALS MET WITH THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MACEDONIA

Bulgarian ambassador to Athens professor Kiril Topalov and consul general Ilko Shivachev visited University of Macedonia dean professor Giorgos Tsiotras in Thessaloniki.

Their talks focused on issues concerning the cooperation of the University of Macedonia with the Bulgarian universities and mainly with the University of Sofia.

[04] REPPAS ON THE DEPORTATIONS OF KURDS

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas denied the rumors according to which, the recent deportations of Kurds from Greece were made after an intervention of Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem to his Greek counterpart Giorgos Papandreou.

Specifically, Mr. Reppas stated that Greece does not accept lists from any foreign official, adding that every move is made taking under consideration the safety of the country and the citizens as well as the country's interests. He also stated that the responsible agencies act on the basis of the facts at their disposal.

[05] REPPAS: KOSTUNICA EXPRESSED INTEREST IN MEETING WITH SIMITIS

Prime minister Kostas Simitis will be probably the first European leader after French president Jacques Chirac, who is currently holding the EU rotating presidency, to meet with Yugoslav president Voijslav Kostunica.

According to Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, the new president of Yugoslavia has expressed interest in meeting with the Greek prime minister on the sidelines of the summit meeting in Biarritz, France where he will have a working lunch with the 15 EU leaders.

[06] PAPANDREOU-IVANOV MEETING

Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov, who is on a formal visit to Athens, met today with his Greek counterpart Giorgos Papandreou and their talks focused on the developments in Yugoslavia, the Cyprus issue and the Middle East. The two ministers also signed a cooperation agreement for the exchange of information on economic and financial violations, while they underlined the excellent level of bilateral relations.

In statements he made, Mr. Papandreou thanked Mr. Ivanov on behalf of the Greek government for the efforts made by Russia for the fair solution of the Cyprus problem. He also reiterated Greece's firm position for a federal two-zone, two-community solution that will respect the UN resolutions, the territorial integrity of Cyprus and the existing borders. Referring to Russia's role in the UN, Mr. Papandreou stressed its significant position in the UN Security Council, while Mr. Ivanov pointed out that the two sides need to strengthen their cooperation in the handling of international problems.

On the developments in Yugoslavia, Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Ivanov pointed out that the priority for the Greek and Russian policy is to help Yugoslav president Kostunica in the reorganization of his country. Mr. Ivanov also briefed Mr. Papandreou on the developments in the Middle East.

Later, the two foreign ministers attended the events held at the Acropolis on the occasion of the liberation of Athens from the Germans.

[07] BIG LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Big losses of 1.93% were recorded again in the Athens Stock Exchange today with the general index at 3.808,30 points, while the volume of transactions was at 142 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today 35 recorded gains, 318 had losses and 22 were stable.

It is the fourth negative session in a row increasing the negative climate and the insecurity regarding the short-term course of the Greek stock market.

[08] PROPOSAL FOR GREEK-BULGARIAN-TURKISH COOPERATION IN CASE OF NATURAL DISASTERS

Thessaloniki's Aristotle University geology professor Mr. Pavlides, who specializes in earthquake geology, tabled a proposal for the cooperation of Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria in case of natural disasters such as, earthquakes and floods.

According to his interview with the Alexandroupolis newspaper "Gnomi", the goal of the proposal is to study the natural disasters within the framework of the inter-state cooperation with Turkey and Bulgaria.

The proposal concerns risk assessment and the drawing-up of measures to deal with the disasters with an emphasis to the earthquake risk in the regions of western and eastern Thrace, the Sea of Marmara and south-eastern Bulgaria. The cost of the proposal is estimated at 300 million drachmas and the necessary funds will come from the European program Interreg III.

[09] INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DRUG RELATED DEATHS IN GREECE

An increase of 81.5% was recorded in the drug related deaths in Greece in the past five years, according to figures included in the annual report issued by the European Center for the control of drugs and drug addiction. According to the report, Greece together with Ireland and Portugal are among the EU states with a significant increase in the number of deaths because of drug use, while the number of drug related deaths in Spain, France, Italy and Germany has dropped or stabilized.

A sharp increase was recorded in Greece in 1994 with 146 drug related deaths, while the previous year the deaths were 78. From then on there has been a continuous rise. Specifically, 176 deaths in 1995, 222 in 1996, 232 in 1997, 245 in 1998 and 265 in 1999.

In all European Union countries there has been a sharp increase in the use of inhaled substances mainly by children, while an increase is recorded in the use of drug cocktails made up of "ecstasy", amphetamines and other drugs.

[10] TRACK AND FIELD: GREECE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE YOUNG ATHLETES' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A 22-MEMBER TEAM

Greece will participate in the World Track and Field Championship for young athletes that will take place in Santiago, Chile on October 17-22 with a 22member team, made up of 18 men and 4 women.

The Greek team will leave on Saturday and the goal of its members will be to make a good appearance and break records.

[11] PAPOUTSIS: THE BLACKMAIL OF THE COASTAL SHIPPING COMPANIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Minister of merchant marine Christos Papoutsis issued a strong warning to shipowners who decided to immobilize their ships on October 27 in protest for the fact that they were allegedly publicly humiliated after the "Samina" tragedy near the island of Paros.

Mr. Papoutsis characterized the statement issued by the 18 coastal shipping companies as provocative and stressed that no blackmail will be accepted. He also announced that all the passenger ship permits that are still pending will be examined next week taking under consideration the transportation needs of the islands.

[12] THE FLIGHTS OF GREEK FIGHTER JETS WERE SUSPENDED IN TURKEY

A serious setback has been recorded in the NATO exercise that is being held in the Aegean and south-eastern Mediterranean with the participation of Greek forces.

The leadership of the alliance's south-eastern wing with a top secret signal gave the operational control of the Aegean directly to the Turkish military commander for the duration of the specific exercise. It should be noted that it is the first time that something like this happens. According to this decision, the Turkish jets participating in the exercise would have been able to violate the Greek airspace with NATO's approval, while the Turks had also requested the exclusion of the air corridors over the Greek islands of Limnos and Ikaria that were initially included in the exercise plan.

The reaction of the Greek side was immediate. Air Force chief Lieutenant General Manousos ordered the Greek pilots not to fly with their Turkish colleagues and the Greek National Defense General Staff in an urgent meeting decided to suspend the participation of the 6 Greek F-16 jets that were taking part in the NATO exercise. This decision will be in effect until the differences are settled.

[13] RUSSIA WILL BACK THE TALKS ON CYPRUS

Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov wrapped up his short visit to Cyprus giving the assurance that Russia will work for the strengthening of the inter-community dialogue under the UN auspices, while he also pledged that Moscow will continue to back the UN secretary-general services for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Cypriot foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides stated that Mr. Ivanov's presence is a gesture for the promotion of closer friendship and cooperation relations at a bilateral level, pointing out that the present efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem were discussed extensively.

The Russian foreign minister also met with Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides and signed a protocol of cooperation with his Cypriot counterpart.

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